American politics

A reprieve

JUST an update to yesterday's post about Larry Swearingen. Last night the 5th Circuit Court halted the execution. Now Mr Swearingen can seek a new trial. This should be a palatable outcome for people on both sides of the issue; no one benefits from a controversial execution.

A particularly cynical death penalty opponent might also be opposed to this. A blatantly incorrect execution, perhaps followed by conclusive evidence of innocence later, might be just the thing to get rid of the death penalty forever. Exacerbate rather than contain the system's woes in the hopes that the whole system comes crumbling down and all.On the other hand this is a stupid idea.